In 1975 I bought myself a Trailwise external frame backpack and have used it sparingly. This pack is an American classic. I won't part with it, and am looking for clever ideas to help me do some minor mods to it to not only carry my gear in but carry meat out on a backpack hunt. i figure some new shoulder straps will be essential... something more ergonomic and comfortable with heavy loads. ditto the waist strap. other than those mods and some bungees to compress, and meat sacks, i figure i can roll with this backpack until a lightbulb comes on... with respect to all the awesome modern hunting packs out there, there are so many i could never make up my mind.

Give the people at Hill People Gear in Grand Junction CO and/or Kifaru in Wheat Ridge CO a call and talk to them about some shoulder straps and waist bands, they should be able to help.

thanks, that Hill People Prairie Belt might be just the ticket.